RiverHawks Rally Again
Published on August 7, 2011 under Frontier League (FL)
Rockford RiverHawks News Release
LOVES PARK, Ill. - The Rockford RiverHawks have dusted off the "Comeback Kids" clich.
For the second night in a row, the RiverHawks stormed back from a seven-run deficit to beat the Normal CornBelters. On Sunday, the RiverHawks scored nine unanswered runs to beat the CornBelters, 9-7, at Road Ranger Stadium and take the rubber match of the three-game series.
The RiverHawks batted around and scored five times in the seventh inning to take the lead. Jason James hit a three-run homer to the right-field beer garden to cut the deficit to a run and Carlos Dominguez doubled home the tying and go-ahead runs with two outs.
The Rockford bullpen held the CornBelters to a run on three hits over the final eight innings. Normal scored six times, on home runs by Brandon Newton, Steve Alexander and Daniel Cox in the first inning and Rockford starter Matt Gibbs did not come back for the second. Joey Gradney relieved Gibbs and limited Normal to a third-inning RBI double by Cox over his six innings of work. Gradney (1-1) gave up just two hits, struck out three and walked two for his first professional win. Setup man Corey Frerichs pitched a scoreless eighth inning and closer Brett Durand pitched a perfect ninth for his 16th save.
The RiverHawks broke the shutout in the sixth inning, when they scored three times on only one hit. In the seventh inning, Dave Cooper doubled to right with one out and stole third base. Liedka (2-2) walked Eigsti and James homered to cut the deficit to a run.
With two outs, Luis Parache and Kevin Smith reached on infield hits and Normal closer Marshall Schuler came on to face Dominguez. Dominguez doubled to left-center to drive in Parache and Smith.
Matt Greener gave Rockford an insurance run with a two-out infield hit in the eighth inning.
Dominguez was 4-for-7 in his two games in the series. He had a pair of two-out RBI singles on Saturday, when the RiverHawks trailed, 9-2, after 6 innings, but rallied for a 10-9 win.
The RiverHawks are off on Monday. They open a three-game series at Southern Illinois at 7:05 p.m. Tuesday. The RiverHawks' next home game is 7:05 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 16, against Windy City. Petco sponsors Dog Days of Summer, when fans are invited to bring their canine companion to the park. Thompsons' Transmissions sponsors Kids Eat Free Tuesdays.
The RiverHawks are members of the Frontier League, a 12-team independent professional baseball league in its 19th season. Advertising and ticket information is available by calling (815) 885-2255. Fans can also visit www.rockfordriverhawks.com.
Frontier League Stories from August 7, 2011
- ThunderBolts Rally Late and Defeat Grizzlies - Gateway Grizzlies
- RiverHawks Rally Again - Rockford RiverHawks
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- Rascals Bury Slammers in Finale - Joliet Slammers
- Belters Can't Hold Second Straight Big Lead - Normal CornBelters
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